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Spring 2019 Honors CelebrationSTUDENT PRESENTATION ABSTRACTSStudent: Zoe AllardFaculty: David LaFontaineHumanities and Fine Arts DivisionThe Life and Work of Langston HughesLangston Hughes, widely regarded as one of the most influential authors to emerge from theHarlem Renaissance, led an adventurous and at times tragic life that can often be connected withhis literary works. Hughes’s autobiography The Big Sea highlights his most influential works andexplores how his own life experiences may have contributed to his creativity, notably in his shortstories. From early on in his life, Hughes was interested in the arts due to his mother’s heavyinfluence on him, but it was not until grammar school that he began writing poetry for the firsttime after being elected the class poet. As a teenager, Hughes truly began to hone his craft with theinfluence of the works of his favorite poet, Carl Sandburg. Imitating Sandburg’s style was Hughes’sfirst step in developing his own unique style in his writing. As Hughes grew into an adult, hispositive relationship with his mother and his negative relationship with his father would also serveto influence him. After Hughes dropped out of college at Columbia, he decided to travel the world.His journeys to Africa and Paris, then his return to America, served to garner him life experiencesthat are referenced throughout his poetry and his short stories. Hughes’s exploits as a young manare chronicled in The Big Sea. In his second autobiography titled I Wonder as I Wander, Hughestells of the many journeys he took across the world throughout his adult life. These experiences,often strange and exciting, became the cornerstone for Hughes’s writing.Student: Adedapo AzeezFaculty: David LaFontaineHumanities and Fine Arts DivisionLife in Harlem in the 1920s and 1930s as Reflected in Langston Hughes’s PoetryLife was extremely difficult for African Americans in Harlem in the 1920s and 1930s because they faced racism and oppression. Discrimination against blacks in Harlem made it hard for them to get good paying jobs. Due to the lack of gainful employment, a large number of blacks in Harlem lived in extreme poverty. Born in Missouri in 1902, Langston Hughes moved up north as a young man. It was at this time that Hughes was able to experience the hardship blacks faced in Harlem. Speaking about how excited he was to see Harlem, Hughes described Harlem as the greatest Negro city in the world. Langston Hughes felt a strong connection to Harlem. Hughes wrote many powerful poems in the 1920s and 1930s. Hughes’s poems majorly center on the subjects of racism, oppression, the importance of black history and the dreams of African Americans to be free from discrimination. In the poem, “Harlem” Hughes writes about deferred dreams. He asks several rhetorical questions about what the reactions of African-Americans are when their dreams to be free from racism are deferred. He asks if they will forget about their dreams, pretend like everything is fine when their dreams are deferred or if they would rebel. Langston Hughes’s experiences in Harlem significantly influenced his works.Student: Maria De La Fuente MartinezFaculty: David LaFontaineHumanities and Fine Arts DivisionLangston Hughes and the Harlem RenaissanceLangston Hughes was an incredibly influential figure not only in black literature, but in sociocultural movements such as the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s. The Harlem Renaissancecelebrated African American culture through art, music, and literature. Hughes’s poems becamepopular during this period of time, partly because they focus on subjects such as minoritiesliving through adversity and their struggle to reach the American Dream. During his lifetimehe was recognized by literary magazines as the “poet laureate of the Renaissance”. The HarlemRenaissance started once African Americans migrated North in the beginning of the 1900s. Livingcloser together in cities, they discovered their shared experiences and, instead of caving intoself-pity, surged forward with sentiments of cultural pride that blossomed into works of literatureand music. Harlem came to be associated with Black identity and was called the “New NegroMovement”. Alain Locke described the “New Negro” as assertive and self-confident, unafraidto question white standards for beauty and the arts. This new generation of African Americanswere proud of their race and bursting with creative talent. Magazines such as The Crisis and organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)further supported the movement. Financially, wealthy patrons, enchanted with the vibrancy ofthis new style, funded many black artists and writers such as Hughes. The Harlem Renaissancesaw its peak in the 1920s and into the 1930s. Eventually, the effects of the Great Depression set in,grinding the Harlem Renaissance to a halt. The Harlem Renaissance has made a lasting impact inthe African American community and in the artistic world.Student: Natasha DiasFaculty: David LaFontaineHumanities and Fine Arts DivisionThe Other Side of the StoryWest Side Story was written by Arthur Laurents, based on an original concept by Jerome Robbins. West Side Story was inspired by the famous play of William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet.The play portrays the prejudice against immigrants, racism, oppression, violence, and police corruption. West Side Story tells a story of how immigrants are treated by people in America. They sufferracism and oppression. The play had a great impact in the United States and internationally. It gavethe Puerto Ricans a representation on Broadway that they never had before, and it encouragedmore diversity. Anita and Maria are the most honorable characters in the play. They are part ofthe Sharks and the only ones to see above the hate between the gangs. In the end, after Tony dies,Maria survives and brings the two gangs together. As much as West Side Story was important, italso had a negative impact through the play and the film version of 1961. In the play, Laurentsavoids creating more stereotypes. However, there are still racial stereotypes. For example, in thesong “America”, the lyrics are racist and it become controversial. Many Puerto Ricans immigrantsfound it offensive because it criticizes their homeland and it tries to Americanize immigrants.The film version contains more racism than in the play. The actors portraying the Sharks wereforced to use more makeup in order to darken their skin. West Side Story was groundbreakingbecause it opened the door to a more diverse Broadway and inspired many Latinos to becomefamous. Nonetheless, the play and the film carry a great amount of racism and prejudice againstimmigrants.Student: Elizabeth FolanFaculty: David LaFontaineHumanities and Fine Arts DivisionLangston Hughes and the Civil Rights MovementThroughout the twentieth century, the works of African American writers, poets, musicians, andartists acted as a catalyst helping to influence and inspire the Civil Rights Movement. LangstonHughes was a prominent African American poet and figure in the fight for racial equality. Hisprogressive works question the racial division in the United States while also advocating for equalrights. Hughes’s poetry reflects African American culture and conveys their experiences throughnumerous subjects such as oppression, racism, creative expression, and dreams. By writing invernacular language he articulates the emotions of the working class which made his poetryrelatable and motivational for minorities facing adversity. Hughes provided a powerful voicefor African Americans at a time when they had been made silent. The Civil Rights movementbegan in the late 1950s, challenging racial segregation as well as social, economic, and politicaldiscrimination against African Americans. Langston Hughes’s poetry was instrumental inmobilizing the African American community by writing about key events. “Mississippi” and“Brotherly Love” are noteworthy pieces about the gruesome murder of Emmett Till and theMontgomery Bus Boycott, which are significant events that initiated the socio-cultural movement.Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. used Langston Hughes poetry as a rally cry during the movement,and research has found traces of Hughes poetry in King’s speeches, notably in his most famousspeech “I Have a Dream”. Langston Hughes’s poetry and the Civil Rights movement encouragedminorities to be proud of their cultural identity and to continue to strive to achieve their dreams.Student: Alison HaidulFaculty: David LaFontaineHumanities and Fine Arts DivisionComparison of Gender Roles in West Side Story and A Raisin in the SunWest Side Story (1957) by Arthur Laurents and A Raisin in the Sun (1959) by Lorraine Hansberry are culturally significant plays that changed the perspectives of many Americans on the subjectof gender. The portrayal of minority women in both works is revolutionary, in that women are given their own identities. Both plays include minority women in lead roles, allowing for theaudience to witness their independent thinking as they face adversity. The character Maria inWest Side Story and Beneatha in A Raisin in the Sun both embody the idea that minority womenare more than able to fend for themselves. Maria is a young woman who has recently moved toNew York City from Puerto Rico, and serves as the voice of reason in the conflict between the Jetsand the Sharks. Beneatha is a young African American woman living in Chicago with her familywho constantly asserts her goal of someday becoming a doctor, a male-dominated professionat the time. Both Laurents and Hansberry include female characters who cross the boundariesthat society placed between the genders, and allowed for these young women to take on maledominated roles. Women are also shown as being fully capable of making decisions on their own.Male characters in West Side Story and A Raisin in the Sun are a contrast to the female characters.In West Side Story, the Jets and the Sharks, two gangs that mostly consist of males, are the maincause of conflict in the plot. Both gangs refuse to act in any other way but hostile to each other.In A Raisin in the Sun, Walter Younger’s naivete puts the Youngers in a difficult situation when hisplan to put a large portion of money the family just received towards a business opportunity failsafter the money is stolen. The portrayal of male and female characters is balanced between themen who carry out actions without much thought, and the women who question their decisions.West Side Story and A Raisin in the Sun greatly shaped modern works of literature and drama.Their depiction of each gender shifted the standards that defined the roles each should hold.Student: Nayfa SarhanFaculty: David LaFontaineHumanities and Fine Arts DivisionThe Life and Works of Kate ChopinKate Chopin was an American author who was born on February 8, 1850 in St. Louis and livedin the nineteenth century before and after the Civil War. An important source of Kate Chopin’slife is Kate Chopin: A Life of the Author of The Awakening by Emily Toth which describes Chopin’spersonal life as well as her literary career. Chopin grew up in a household surrounded by womenand was educated by her great grandmother who was an important influence on her life. Chopin’smarriage to Oscar Chopin was successful and happy from the beginning, but it did not last long because her husband died on December 10, 1882 from malaria, leaving her with six children andfinancial struggles. After her husband’s death Chopin decided to remain an independent womanand turned to writing. Her doctor advised her to write as a way to calm herself, and Chopinstarted to work on her talent of storytelling. She joined a literary salon which helped both womenand men to have social conversations. Her Louisiana stories were published in Bayou Folk in 1894and A Night in Acadie in 1897 which were popular. Chopin published almost one hundred shortstories, three novels, and one play. Her most famwous book, The Awakening, received negativepublicity because of the main character’s independence and lack of traditional morality. KateChopin writes about women’s rights for freedom and independence. She highlights in her workthat women should not rely on their husbands in material terms. She was a pioneer in her era whodid not yield to nineteenth century traditions. She influenced many writers with her ideas. KateChopin died of a brain hemorrhage on August 22, 1904. She became famous again in the 1960during the Women’s Movement, and her work was edited by Per Seyersted in The Complete Worksof Kate Chopin.Student: John TedescoFaculty: David LaFontaineHumanities and Fine Arts DivisionLove and Community: West Side Story and A Bronx TaleThe play West Side Story premiered on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theater on September 26, 1957. The play has been hailed for its astonishing musical numbers, and the pioneering displayof the subjects of racism and youth. In 1989, Chazz Palminteri debuted his original one manshow A Bronx Tale at the small West Coast Ensemble Theater. Palminteri aspired to write aboutthe racism, gang violence, and the African-American girl he fell in love during his childhood.Palminteri acknowledges West Side Story was very influential in the production of A Bronx Tale.In West Side Story the American boy Tony falls in love with Maria, the sister of Puerto Rican gangleader Bernardo. In A Bronx Tale the main character Calogero falls in love with Jane, a black girlfrom a rival community. In both plays the love of these young people, and the hate between theircommunities lead to tragic ends. Both plays the main male characters are opposed to the racismand violence, and are torn by their love of a young women and loyalty to their community. The idea of West Side Story was conceived by Jerome Robbins, and was influenced by William Shakespeare’sRomeo and Juliet. Robbins aspired to create an updated version of Romeo and Juliet that audienceswould enjoy and relate to. Jerome Robbins later directed the production and developed thechoreography, yet was helped by some very accomplished individuals. The book was written ArthurLaurents and the lyrics were written by Stephen Sondheim. Maestro Leonard Bernstein producedthe music for the play, and so with the collaboration of these men the musical was developed.The original play A Bronx Tale was written and performed solely by Chazz Palminteri, and theinspiration came from a murder Palminteri witnessed at nine years old. With the critical acclaim ofboth plays film adaptations were created where they were renowned by different audiences. In 1961,the film adaption of West Side Story premiered and was directed by Jerome Robbins and RobertWise. The film starred Natalie Wood as Maria, and Richard Beymer as Tony. In 1993, the filmadaption of A Bronx Tale premiered marking Robert De Niro’s directorial debut. The film starredFrancis Capra as the nine year old Calogero, and Lillo Brancato as the teenage Calogero. TaralHicks portrayed Jane and Calogero’s father, Lorenzo, was played by Robert De Niro. Palminterihimself portrayed the morally ambiguous gangster, Sonny, that mentored Palminteri throughout hischildhood. Both stories display the subjects of racism and youth in New York City, and the tragicends that occur when individuals fall in love with members of a rival community.Student: John TedescoFaculty: Karen HaysHumanities and Fine Arts DivisionCritique of The Gothic Chapel in the Museum of Fine ArtsIn a small corner on the second level of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is a small room titledThe Gothic Chapel. In this recreation of a chapel reside three profound works of art. All of theseartworks display the common subject of Catholic imagery, yet all come from very different regionsof the world and time periods. On the back wall is The Window with Eight Apostles, the Pietà, andother Saints, a stained glass window from 1420-1435. The window was originally produced anddisplayed in the Hereford Cathedral in England. On the left wall of the Gothic Chapel is a frescothat was transferred to canvas titled The Crucifixion. This fresco was originally displayed in thechurch of Santa Lucia del Mercato in the Italian city of Fabriano during the 1360s. The identity of the original artist is unknown, so the MFA refers to him/her as the Master of the UrbinoCoronation. In the center of the exhibit is an alabaster tomb effigy of the Spanish knight AlonsoDe Mera. The effigy was originally displayed in the Monastery of St. Pablo and St. Ildefonso inZamora, Spain, and was completed by Juan de Montejo in 1592-1594. Each piece of art is of adifferent medium and was produced during a different time period. All the art displays a strongsense of faith and loyalty to community. These works of art represent Christian faith during theirown respective time periods. All pieces are from different time periods, yet display the strong faiththat these communities possessed. These profound works of art have been placed in the Museumof Fine Arts, Boston to illustrate a history of strong faith.Student: Matthew WendellFaculty: David LaFontaineHumanities and Fine Arts DivisionWest Side StoryThe topics presented by feuding gang members in 1950s Manhattan was difficult enough torepresent in the play, and so changes had to be made in order to accommodate the success of afilm version. In order to maintain the critically acclaimed integrity of the play, some of the musicalperformances had to be adapted. Directors Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise made the decisionto adjust the lyrics in songs such as “I Feel Pretty” in order to accommodate a change in scenerydue to being moved to an earlier position during film production. The production company mademany of these changes to the musical performances in the film version of West Side Story due toa modification of the plot during film production. One of the main intentions of the directorswas to support increasing tension throughout the second and third act, so characters were addedand the sequence of events was altered in order to prevent any comic interruptions. Althoughmany aspects of the film benefitted from having the creative perspective of two directors, JeromeRobbins created conflicts which consumed valuable time. Robbins made it his mission to maintainthe integrity of the play as much as possible, which was difficult to do considering the inherentdemand for modification when creating a film version of a play. Robbins spent a lot of time andmoney trying to navigate the logistics of preserving the original work, since films use a completelydifferent artistic methods to present a story to an audience. He wanted to include as many of theoriginal cast members as possible, but certain performers were either dismissed or received roll changes. The recycling of ethnically inaccurate actors instead of casting new performers of thecorrect ethnicity also led to public criticisms of the casting choices. Jerome Robbins had neverdirected a film before and perhaps didn’t comprehend the cost of his production decisions, butwithout the vision of preservation that Robbins shared during the early stages of production, it islikely that the film version may have been vastly different from the original play.Student: Yehoshua WinterFaculty: Andrea FrankHumanities and Fine Arts DivisionCarl Jung and Sigmund FreudThis project is an exploration and comparison of the psychoanalytic theories of dream analysis of the early psychologists Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud. The basis of their theories is that dreams areproducts of unconscious processes, which determine the content of the dream and are thereforesubject to psychoanalysis by means of free association. Freud asserts that dreams are a fulfillmentof repressed or unattainable wishes of the individual unconscious. Conversely, Jung looks beyondthe personal unconscious to the collective unconscious, which is the deep structure of the humanmind, formed as a product of human evolution, as the origin of symbols and a symbolic process oftransformation that manifest in dreams over time.Student: Carly WortonFaculty: David LaFontaineHumanities and Fine Arts DivisionKate Chopin’s LifeKate Chopin is a famous author from the late 1800s. Chopin was born on February 8, 1850 to aloving, strong family that made her the independent, remarkable woman she became. Influencedby her mother and grandmother throughout her childhood years, Chopin was taught to bebrave and to stand up for what she believed in: women’s rights. Suffering from many losses suchas her father, grandmother, husband, and mother placed Chopin at times into a deep state ofmelancholy. She was praised for many of her short stories, but her novel, The Awakening, was notaccepted warmly. The Awakening was published on April 22, 1899. However, there were many terrible reviews. Herbert S. Stone & Company, who published her novel, canceled their contractand refused to publish her third short story collection, A Vocation and a Voice. Chopin was oneof the very few people from her time who openly wrote and spoke about women rebelling againsttradition. On August 22, 1904, Kate Chopin died of a brain hemorrhage. Finally, in the 1960s, aNorwegian scholar named Per Seyersted rediscovered Chopin’s literature and had her CompleteWorks as well as A Vocation and a Voice published. Rediscovering and publishing Kate Chopin’swriting allows her dreams and spirit to live on. Her writing shows how women’s rights were notalways there and encourages women to pursue their dreams ................
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